An event to raise awareness of the number one killer of women was held today at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Genoa Township.

More than 200 women interested in learning more about heart disease attended the 5th annual Livingston County Goes Red for Women luncheon. The event was hosted by The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, Professional Women’s Club of Michigan, IHA and Michigan Heart at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Lila Lazarus is a health reporter for the St. Joe Mercy Health System and says events like this go a long way to making women more aware of these critical issues, especially when you consider that every 34 seconds a woman has a heart attack in the U.S.

One of the main topics of discussion was prevention of heart disease, most especially through a plant-based diet. One of today’s speakers was Dr. Shilpa Reddy, a cardiologist at Michigan Heart. She said one of the big misconceptions is that vegetarian and plant-based diets are the same, but that it is unprocessed fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals that support heart health, while white rice and white bread-based foods can actually be unhealthy. (JK)